A Havering police officer who helped raise more than �350,000 to find a cure for terminally ill children received an MBE from The Queen this week.
Pc Mark Edwards was moved by the plight of Jack Brown, the son of two serving officers, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare form of cancer.
Tragically, no cure was found for Jack and he later died.
A charity, Jack’s Pack. (Police Against Cancer in Kids) was set up to help children suffering from cancer travel to New York for treatment.
From the moment he heard about Jack’s condition, Mark began to raise funds by running marathons in New York and doing a series of challenges.
This year alone he has raised more than �40,000.
The Queen presented Pc Edwards with his MBE at Buckingham Palace today (Wednesday) alongside X Factor judge Gary Barlow who received an OBE and actress Kate Winslet, receiving a CBE.
Pc Edwards, who has been with the Met for 26 years, said: “When my wife told me I’d got an MBE I nearly fell off my chair. I am really humbled and stunned by this. This award is for the whole team who has helped raise the money - not just me. It really is fantastic, I am honoured and don’t feel I deserve it.”
Havering’s Borough Commander Mick Smith added: “He is quite simply the benchmark for all of us who aspire to help others beat this destructive disease. He is the most selfless, humble and organised man. He will keep going because there are other children suffering and he wants to help them get better.”
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